Sohrabi M, Sahu B, Kaur H, Hasler WA, Prakash A, Combs CK. Gastrointestinal Changes and Alzheimer's Disease.
Curr Alzheimer Res 2022;
19:335-350. [PMID:
35718965 PMCID:
PMC10497313 DOI:
10.2174/1567205019666220617121255]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
There is a well-described mechanism of communication between the brain and gastrointestinal system in which both organs influence the function of the other. This bi-directional communication suggests that disease in either organ may affect function in the other.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether the evidence supports gastrointestinal system inflammatory or degenerative pathophysiology as a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
METHODS
A review of both rodent and human studies implicating gastrointestinal changes in AD was performed.
RESULTS
Numerous studies indicate that AD changes are not unique to the brain but also occur at various levels of the gastrointestinal tract involving both immune and neuronal changes. In addition, it appears that numerous conditions and diseases affecting regions of the tract may communicate to the brain to influence disease.
CONCLUSION
Gastrointestinal changes represent an overlooked aspect of AD, representing a more system influence of this disease.
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